Miranda McNeil

Date: 12/11/2014

Subject: Reading

Grade: 4th

Goals/Objectives/Standards:
NETS: 2c develop positive attitudes toward technology uses that support life-long learning,
collaboration, personal pursuits and productivity 3b use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing
technology-enhances models, preparing publications, and producing other creative works 4b use a
variety of media and formats to communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences
Reading: RL.4.3 Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific
details in the text (e.g., a characters thoughts, words, or actions). RI.4.2 Determine the main idea of a
text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text.
Writing: W.4.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and
information clearly. W.4.6 With some guidance and support from adults, use technology, including the
Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others
Procedures/structure of lesson:
Time Opening/Framing the Lesson/Introduction/Early Assessment
Students will be introduced to the book Sarah Plain and Tall written by
Patricia MacLachlan. The class will be told that the book explores
15 min themes of loneliness, abandonment and change. The class will then use
their iPads to follow a link to a Padlet board. Students will be given the
prompt What are some of the ways you cope (deal) with change?
From there, they will post sticky notes with their responses. Have a
brief discussion about the classs answers and then transition to the
reading by asking students to pay attention to the way that the
characters cope with change.

30 min

5 min

The Lesson Structure: Activities

Have the class popcorn read the first 2 chapters of Sarah Plain and Tall.
Throughout the book, stop and see if students have questions or want
to discuss what is taking place in the story.

Monitor/Feedback
Change is a huge part
of our lives so really
encourage students to
think about their
responses!

Students should
popcorn after reading
about 1-2 paragraphs.

After the students finish reading the first 2 chapters, have them use
bubbl.us to create a graphic organizer that outlines the setting, main
characters, plot, conflict(s) and resolution(s). Students wont be able to
fill out the entire graphic organizer sections (some parts will be
completed as we read further) so tell them to save it so that they can
access it later.

Walk around as
students fill out parts
of their graphic
organizersprovide
assistance if needed

Closing/Assessment
Have a short discussion about the first 2 chapters of the book. Ask
students to write a short summary of the reading thus far in their
journals. They will write summaries after each day we read.

Writing summaries will

help students pull out
the important
information from the
readings.

Homework
None
Self Evaluation of the Lesson
Evaluations will take place during discussion times and while students complete their graphic organizers. If
students are able to use the various technology tools while also pulling out important information from
the novel, the lesson is a successful start to a great unit!
Resources/Materials
- iPads
- Padlet : collaboration tool
- Sarah Plain and Tall novels
- bubbl.us : graphic organizers
-journals